CHAPTER 6-LIFE COURSE

LIFE COURSE

FOLLOW CHANGES IN HISTORY PRODUCT OF TIME & PLACE BIRTH RATE DECREASES SINCE

COLONIAL TIMES EXCEPT BABY BOOM 1946-1964

BIRTH COHORTS-people born in the same year or years; similarities

GREAT DEPRESSION No $ or jobs

Impacts values: $ Responsibility Conservative Handle problems

easier Work is most

important “vocational

crystallization” Frugal

BABY BOOMERS Post WW2 prosperity TV & rock music Vietnam War

Values: Freedom Individuality change

SOCIAL DEFINITION OF AGE

Set of behaviors at each stage of life Depends on culture Timetable for normal behavior 18-vote/graduate 21-drinking age 65-retirement AGE GRADING—school Stick with same age groups—marry

similar age people

Rite of Passage

Ceremonies to mark an age transition

Baptism; Bar Mitzvah Debutante ball Quinceanos

POPULATION PYRAMIDS

Increased life expectancy Improving healthcare

Results: need less elementary teachers need more college teachers Need more retirement homes; geriatric

doctors